That’s says something if you’ve had it ten years. I’m on 4yrs with six to go as I originally said I’ll keep it for at least 10yrs. It took a long time for me to decide which keeper I want.
What do you love or hate about the R Nine T ?
- Thread starter Boxerlust
- Start date
100% this.
Replacing the rear shock and fork internals on the R9T transforms the bike from a good looking retro with shite handling into a proper back road scratcher with a huge increase in comfort as a bonus.
But you really shouldn’t have to stump up for decent suspension on a bike costing five figures.
I understand that sentiment but as I've ended up replacing the suspension on nearly every bike I've owned in order to get the best out of it it's not something that bothered me. As a package, once the suspension was sorted it is brilliant, that motor in such a compact bike is wicked fun. But I will agree that the stock suspension was beyond poor!
Interesting !
Think I’ve had about 80 bikes now and from memory the only bikes I’ve ever changed suspension on was a Triumph 900 Scrambler in about 2008 and Harley RKS.
Apart from that just the odd shock spring on KTM EXCs.
Should have changed the suspension on my R9T Urban but I was so pissed off with the bike for being so shite and the dealer for being similar that I sold it ASAP.
I’m sure it would have been a great bike but I really couldn’t be arsed to pay another £1500 or so to sort something that BMW should have provided as OE.
May be it's just easier to swap the bike than the suspension
It is for ArseyMay be it's just easier to swap the bike than the suspension
I felt like exactly that on a new Harley I bought in 2008. New to the Harley world i didn’t realise you throw away nearly all of the ‘New’ bike and then repair it so it’s fit for uk roads suspension included. I mentioned the suspension being shite on its 500 miles service and they said to me…….. “Have you tried thicker oil in the forks? “ To what I said was why do I have to repair a brand new only a month old modern bike?
After that it pissed me off so much I sold it at 6months old and learned a lesson of research properly!!
So that made me research the RnineT for a long while before buying one and I expected to fit a decent shock to which I bought an eye watering K -tech rear shock which is like silk now.
But, yes, as there isn’t much on a 9T compared to other similar priced BMWs it should really have premium suspension.
I fell for the looks, if I'm honest, & it was never going to be a bike to cross continents, although I am sure some people do.
I did put a rear Wilbers shock on it, & at 6'-2" I appreciated bar-risers & peg-lowering kit.
I did put a rear Wilbers shock on it, & at 6'-2" I appreciated bar-risers & peg-lowering kit.
That's a beaut Martyn. When I started looking for my bike one of those came up and I very nearly went for it. Regret that a bit now !
How did you find the Wibers shock ? Looking at options currently
The Wilbers I found to be excellent. Over the years I have had Koni, Maxton, Ohlins & Wilbers on a number of my bikes, & they have all made a tremendous difference.That's a beaut Martyn. When I started looking for my bike one of those came up and I very nearly went for it. Regret that a bit now !
How did you find the Wibers shock ? Looking at options currently
I bought a front & rear pair of Wilbers for my R1200R, & I was so impressed that I bought a rear for the R9T, set-up for a comfortable ride.
As you can see, there was even an option of a blue spring, which matched the rest of the blue paintwork. I am such a tart...........
The /5 is such a beautiful version of the 9T and I got so close to buying an overpriced second hand one but as I was intending to modify the 9T I got it would only have devalued such a sought after bike.
Well after my very first spin on an R9T Scrambler today I have to say I'm very impressed. Lovely handling and oodles of low down torque makes for a serious grin maker!
I agree about the engine. It’s a peach. I’m on my second one. Had it since new in 2017 and until the R12 G/S appeared can’t think of another bike I’d rather have for what I use it for.
All finished now
I’ve recently bought an R9T Scrambler and love it, but do find the ride a little rough over roads my GSA just glides over. I was thinking about getting the suspension setup properly for my weight and height, but do you think it’s a waste of time?
I don’t want to spend too much on the suspension as it’ll negate all the savings I made buying the bike
I’ve heard those guys at Knockhill are good:
Unfortunately the stock suspension on the R9T is amongst the worst I (and many, many other owners) have ever come across on any premium bike, never mind a BMW. The only solution is to swap the OEM junk out.I’ve recently bought an R9T Scrambler and love it, but do find the ride a little rough over roads my GSA just glides over. I was thinking about getting the suspension setup properly for my weight and height, but do you think it’s a waste of time?
I don’t want to spend too much on the suspension as it’ll negate all the savings I made buying the bike
I’ve heard those guys at Knockhill are good:
If you only do one end, do the rear but doing both is transformational.
Depending on what you opt for, you’ll be in for between £1,500 and £3,000 to do both ends but it’s money well spent. I was going to ditch my Urban GS but I opted to fit new suspenders three years ago and still own and ride it…
Okay, maybe I’ll change the back shock cause it does jar my back even over slight road imperfections, but that’ll probably be it.
I love the way the bike looks and performs, but the seating position is quite cramped for anything over 100 miles and it might not be a keeper.
I give my bikes at least 2 years to resolve compatibility issues, but that’s it.
I’ve had 3 GSs from the 1150 to present 1200 and always found the suspension adequate for my 70% riding. It does beg the question why they put such crap suspension in these though?!
Fork internals and rear shock can be bought for around £750
That's a lovely exhaust
